Overseas Filipino workers who are rehired will no longer have to pay for the issuance of an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC).

The new policy took effect on July 29 following a memorandum issued by Department of Migrant Workers officer-in-charge Bernard Olalia on July 25.

The OEC, which serves as a clearance for all departing OFWs, costs P100.

“As such, the issuance of manual or digital OEC will not require the issuance of an official receipt,” the memorandum stated.

Meanwhile, the DMW launched on July 21 the OFW Pass, which serves as the digital alternative to OEC.

According to the department, the OFW Pass utilizes QR Code technology, uniquely designed to render the electronic document tamper-proof and instantly verifiable when transacting with other government mobile applications.

The OFW Pass’ validity is based on the expiration of the OFW’s working contract.

It is currently being pilot tested in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirate, Qatar, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Oman, Japan, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.